Amity fine tunes rural village

The Amity Township Planning Commission refined and revised the zoning ordinance document it is drafting for the proposed Amityville Rural Village at Weavertown and Old Swede roadson June 12.

Instead of the previously decided four single family units per acre in the medium density residential area, township Solicitor Brian F. Boland said the current ordinance allows for three units per acre on land with public sewer and water.

“ almost encouraging town houses because allowing four units per acre,” said Boland.

Ordinance revisions will include information to protect current township residents from any mis-application of zoning laws and make the rural village an attractive and safe area.

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The previous decision to allow 50 percent commercial use on the first floor of a single family home and with two dwelling units has been changed to allow only one dwelling.

Boland said that will prevent converting a single family house to two units with an empty “store front” on the first floor.

Neither on-street or parking in front yards will be permitted; all parking will be in the rear or side of an establishment.

The setback of new single family dwellings will be 30 feet; new commercial construction setbacks will be closest to the pre-existing structures but located outside of the ultimate right of way.

Exterior signage will be a total of 25 feet, and could be on monument or post-light bases in front yards, or hanging signs, that will not exceed seven feet high, or also wall-mounted signs.

Total signage square-footage would be determined by one square foot of signage for every one lineal foot of the horizontal building front façade for every one use up to 25 feet.

Blinking, flashing, and mechanically moving or inflated signs/devices will not be permitted.

A definition will be added to the ordinance for “massage therapy establishments” that will be businesses engaged in the profession of “Massage Therapy” by individuals who hold valid Pennsylvania licenses to practice massage therapy.

Although tattoo parlors and tattooing businesses will be prohibited, the ordinance will contain definitions for tattoo and tattoo parlor.